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In this paper we will characterize the socio-labor, housing and community infrastructure conditions of vulnerable populations in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, under Social, Preventive and Compulsory Isolation. The results of a survey carried out in August 2020 by means of online interviews to territorial referents are presented, paying special attention to the ways in which isolation affects labor activities and income and the alternative strategies deployed and the dimensions referred to housing, services and community infrastructure of the neighborhoods of residence. The sampling carried out is nonprobabilistic and intentional. Through the work, it is possible to observe the need to rethink the implementation of public policies for the generation of decent work, as well as to control the use of and access to land and housing, respecting the ways of life and habitation of our populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average temperature in Alaska and the North American Arctic has risen at twice the rate of the global average due to climate change, causing changes to the natural environment that affect the physical, social, and emotional well‐being of people and communities. Social workers must be prepared to respond. Using a non‐probability, convenience sample, this study surveyed 159 social workers in Alaska to assess their attitudes and their perceptions of the effects of climate change on their clients and constituents. Results indicate that social workers in Alaska believe that climate change is happening, that human activities are responsible, and that it is a large threat to people in Alaska. Over 75% believe that climate change is dangerous for their clients now or will be dangerous in 10 years. Social workers report that in the past year their clients or constituents have experienced multiple climate change‐related problems with community infrastructure, health, and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Europe is recurrently being hit by forest fires affecting wildland–urban interface (WUI) areas which, particularly in the last decade, have resulted in tremendous consequences. In the years to come, self-protection of communities will be a first priority over fire suppression, demanding better fire-resistant and resilient WUI scenarios through actions grounded on solid and sound regulations and legislation. As of today, the European Union as a whole, and the Member States in particular, are belatedly articulating new and appropriate regulations and implementing policies for the protection of WUI areas against forest fires. Spain is one of the EU Member States, holding 1.1 million ha of WUI areas (above 4% of the total forested land) and experiencing an average of 12,500 forest fires per year over the past decade. In this paper a review of the state of the art on regulations, codes, plans and recommendations on WUI fire prevention and management in Spain is presented. Shortcomings due to the current lack of building and urban planning standards and technical codes for WUI communities are highlighted. We underline some paramount needs to be covered by scientific research and fire engineering in particular topics. Some of them have received little attention in the literature related to European WUI fires while some others have been almost unexplored, such as planning of low-fuel fringes, design of road networks and accessibility, dimension of water supply networks, study of ignitability and combustibility of residential vegetation, role of construction methods and materials, and the wildland–industrial interface. Outcomes from research activities on such topics should lead to appropriately drive and inform the policy making processes on WUI fire prevention and management in Spain and, by extension, in other southern European countries under a similar situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries worldwide have had to re-think their purpose and adapt to changing community needs and expectations. They are no longer simply repositories for old books. Rather, they are vital components of a community’s social and economic infrastructure that connects communities and fosters creativity and innovation. This paper explores the changing role of libraries—and public value organizations more broadly—in creating positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes for individuals and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article studies the causes for unequal access to rural community and social development infrastructures in China. We use a dataset in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2012), the National Baseline Survey of Communities, to examine the availability of four types of infrastructures: public transportation, sanitation, health care and aged care. Three hundred and seven villages are included in this study. The findings suggest that the primary funder of infrastructures and the status of village governance have impacts on the unequal availability of rural infrastructures. The effects vary by the type of infrastructures under discussion. This is the first attempt to combine planning, finance and governance factors in explaining rural infrastructure availability. It has strong policy implications and shed important light on state–society relations and the urbanisation trends in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neighborhood influences on walking are well recognized, yet less is known about how the environment impacts sedentary behaviors. This study used a social-ecological model to examine the correlates of sitting time, independent of walking behavior. Objective built environment measures and self-reported community participation were examined for associations with sitting time for 1,179 residents in Perth, Western Australia. Neighborhood built environment and social factors were significantly associated with women’s sitting time only. In particular, the presence of community infrastructure was negatively associated with women’s weekday sitting (relative reduction = 0.951; p = .037), but statistical significance weakened after accounting for community participation (relative reduction = 0.951; p = .057). Community participation was independently associated with both women’s weekday and weekend sitting (both p < .001). More walkable neighborhoods may help limit women’s sitting time by providing better access to community infrastructure, as local venues may afford additional opportunities for social interaction and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]